Michael Fassbender has revealed that he researched online porn for his latest film role.

Fassbender plays a man who is addicted to online pornography in Shame. He explained how he finds it "interesting" that porn addiction has yet to be recognised as an official illness.

The actor explained: "I definitely explored the realm of it. People can stay inside for 72 hours on end watching it. They can't have sex with their wives because they're so obsessed with it.

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"What's really interesting about it is that in the US alone, something like 24 million people claim to be sex addicts but the mental health board hasn't recognised it as an addiction."

Speaking about the film, he added: "It's very relevant to our time. Everything is immediate these days. If you want something, turn on a computer and you've got it. If you want to go somewhere, you can jump on a plane and be there."

Shame also stars Carey Mulligan as Fassbender's character's sister who moves into his apartment. The film is directed by Hunger's Steve McQueen.